Does your hip hurt when you walk? You don’t have to live in pain, but many people do because they are reluctant to have surgery. Or maybe they think they can live with the pain.
Hip and knee replacements are the most common types of joint replacement surgeries. Over a million of them are performed every year. Common causes of hip pain include traumatic injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and normal wear-and-tear of the hip joint.
When should you consider hip replacement surgery?
Hip pain can make walking and performing everyday activities unbearable. There are many noninvasive and minimally invasive remedies you should try first before considering surgery. Some of these options include:
- Weight loss
- Exercise
- Over-the-counter pain medicine
- Prescription painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injections
If these treatments fail to reduce your pain, you may need to consider hip replacement surgery so you can return to a normal active life and daily activities without pain. Chronic pain may lead to depression, weight gain, sleep issues, and other muscle imbalances and injuries.
What happens during a hip replacement surgery?
If you decide to have a joint replacement procedure, choose an experienced orthopedic surgeon like Douglas J. Abeles, MD, for the best results. Dr. Abeles has performed over 4,000 procedures with excellent outcomes and recovery rates.
During the procedure, Dr. Abeles makes an incision on the front or side of your hip to access the damaged bones and cartilage and then remove it.
He replaces the damaged tissue with an artificial hip joint, also called a prosthesis. The recovery period depends on the patient and the desired activity level to which they want to return but averages about six to 12 months.
What are the benefits of hip replacement surgery?
The main benefit is you’ll be able to walk without pain. You’ll also be able to return to many of the sports and activities you enjoyed before your hip pain stopped you from doing them.
While you may not be able to return to high-impact activities such as running or playing basketball, you should be able to bike, swim, play golf, and hike. In addition to walking and moving about without pain, you’ll also regain much of your range of motion and flexibility.
If your hip hurts and you’re considering a joint replacement surgery, call us at Douglas J. Abeles MD & Associates in Castro Valley, California, for a consultation.